A Survey of Ohio Tea Party Activists, 2011
Bliss Institute of Applied Politics
Executive Summary
The Ohio Tea Party activists are part of a vibrant movement dedicated to pursuing their principles and
issue agenda by electing like-minded candidates. These activists have a strong grassroots presence as
well as connections with national and state organizations.
Largely Republican and conservative, Ohio Tea Party activists tend to have economic issue priorities and
are strong advocates of reducing the scope and size of the federal government. They also tend to hold
conservative views on cultural and foreign policy issues as well.
The Ohio Tea Party activists have mixed views of Republican leaders and there is no consensus on their
“first choice” for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
The Ohio Tea Party activists are likely to be heavily engaged in the 2012 campaign, deploying extensive
experience, skills, and resources. Given the competitiveness of Ohio politics, these activists could be an
important factor in the outcome.
The Survey
This report is based on the results of a survey of Ohio Tea Party activists designed to better understand
the key actors in the movement. The survey was conducted during the spring and summer of 2011 via
mail and online by the Ray C. Bliss Institute at the University of Akron. It was distributed to a list of about
900 activists identified as involved with Tea Party organizations in Ohio drawn from public sources, such
as websites, news reports, and public records. Researchers also attended a convention of tea party
activists in August 2011 to encourage participation in the survey. The survey produced 374 usable
responses (a response rate of 49% from the original list, excluding bad addresses). A careful comparison
of the results to the original list suggests that the responses are representative. In addition, a parallel
survey was conducted of a random sample of donors to a national organization, the Tea Party Express,
drawn from public disclosure records. The results of the two surveys were very similar, suggesting that
the Ohio results capture the central features of the movement’s activist corps. We would like to express
our appreciation to Ohio Tea Party leaders and activists for encouraging participation in the survey, and
to the respondents for their time and consideration in completing the survey.
Key Findings
Tea Party Membership: The Ohio activists have a variety of affiliations with movement organizations,
national, state and local, with two-thirds belonging to local Tea Party groups. Most activists are strongly
attached and heavily involved in these local groups, which have diverse origins.
1
Tea Party Goals: The Ohio activists support the Tea Party movement because of their principles and
values, with a strong focus on electing like-minded candidates. They see political parties as valuable
institutions for advancing issues, but are also critical of the operation of the major political parties.
Political Views: The Ohio activists identify as Republicans and conservatives. Their issue priorities are
focused on the economy, and they strongly support reducing the size of the federal government. But
these activists have conservative views on cultural and foreign policy issues.
Political Leaders: The Ohio activists have mixed views of Republican leaders, feeling close to Ohio
Governor John Kasich, but distant from 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain. There is no
consensus on the activists “first choice” for the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.
Political Activity and Information: The activists report extensive participation in the 2010 campaign and
expect to be heavily engaged in the 2012 campaign. They report high levels of a wide variety of political
activities, including online. The internet and talk radio are the most common sources of political
information for these activists, but they use a variety of media for this purpose.
Demography: In keeping with their political views and level of engagement, these activists tend to be
middle age, white men with relatively high levels of education and income. They also report relatively
high levels of traditional religiosity and belong to a variety of community organizations.
Detailed Findings:
Tea Party Membership, Recruitment, and Involvement
How are the Ohio Tea Party activists organized? Overall, nearly nine-in-ten of the survey
respondents consider themselves to be “a member” of the Tea Party in one form or another (87%). But
among such members there was a variety of affiliations (Table 1). Two-fifths (40.2%) of the respondents
are affiliated with a national, a state, and a local Tea Party organization. Another one-quarter are
affiliated with a national and a local group (24.1%); about one-eighth with a national and state group
(13%); and one-twentieth belong to just a national (5.3%) or just to a state/local group (4.4%).
These figures reveal the interplay of national and grassroots organizations among Ohio Tea
Party activists, but also a strong grassroots presence: two-thirds of all the respondents report belonging
to a local group (68.7%). These local organizations are found in all parts of Ohio and appear to be of
diverse origins. More than one-half (53%) are directly linked to the Tea Party movement, and often with
one of the national organizations, such as the Tea Party Patriots or Tea Party Nation. More than one2
quarter are “912” groups (inspired by talk radio host Glenn Beck), and about one-tenth are local
“Liberty” groups or other conservative organizations (some of which predated the Tea Party
movement).
Table 1: Ohio Tea Party Memberships
National, State, and Local Groups
National and Local Groups
National and State Groups
National Group Only
State and Local Groups
Not a member of any group
Total
40.2
24.1
13.0
5.3
4.4
13.0
100.0
Recruitment. How were the Ohio Tea Party activists recruited into the movement? A majority of
local Tea Party members say they were self-recruited (Table 2, multiple responses allowed). Two-fifths
say they searched for a group to join (41.3%) and another one-sixth said they were organizers of local
groups (15%). A little more than one-fifth were recruited by a friend active in a local group (or other
friends/family). About one-half of these activists reported that publicity of one kind or another led them
to join, with an ad or a notice for the local group being most common (19.6%).
Table 2: Local Tea Party Group Recruitment
% “Yes”
How joined local organization?
I searched for a group to join
A Tea Party friend asked me
I saw an ad or notice for group
Group organizer
Literature at a political event
I received mail or email
Media, publicity
Rally, event
Another friend asked me
Family
41.3
20.0
19.6
15.0
11.7
10.8
4.2
2.9
1.7
0.8
3
Involvement. How involved are Ohio Tea Party activists in their local organizations? The level of
involvement is high (Table 3, multiple responses allowed): four-fifths claim to attend local meetings of
the group (79.6%) and seven-in-ten participate in other group activities (69.2%). In addition, three-fifths
receive a newsletter (60.8%), more than one-half pay dues or donate to the group (56.3%), and about
one-half work with allied groups (49.2%). One-third of the respondents hold a local leadership position.
Table 3: Local Tea Party Group Involvement
% “Yes”
Do you regularly engage in activities?
Attend local meetings
Participate in group activities
Receive newsletter
Pay dues/donate
Work with allied groups
Hold leadership position
79.6
69.2
60.8
56.3
49.2
33.8
In addition, Ohio Tea Party activists are strongly attached to their organizations, with one-half
reporting their attachment as “very strong” and another one-third as “strong.” And they also have a
generally positive view of the national leadership of the Tea Party groups (two-thirds choosing in the
top-half of a seven-point scale, ranging from “excellent” to “very poor”); they have a modestly more
positive view of the leadership of the state and local organizations (seven-in-ten in the top half of the
scale).
Goals, Motives, and Political Values
Why do the Ohio Tea Party activists support the movement? Nearly one-half mentioned
principles and issues as the reason for their involvement (Table 4, coded from verbatim responses),
including reference to the U.S. Constitution, conservatism, patriotism, morals or religious beliefs. More
than one-quarter mention economic matters, especially the size and growth of government. And
4
another one-sixth note problems with the political process, ranging from the government being “out of
touch” to corruption.
Table 4: Reasons for Supporting the Tea Party
BELIEFS AND VALUES
Constitutional Principles
Bring Conservative Principles
Patriotism
Morals/Religious Beliefs
34.2
6.3
2.8
2.5
ECONOMICS
Size/Growth of Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Spending/Debt
Lowering Taxes
18.7
5.4
3.2
2.2
POLITICAL PROCESS
Government Out of Touch
Opposition to Liberals/Progressives/Democrats
Need for Grassroots Movement
Corruption Within Government
10.1
4.1
1.9
.9
Other, Miscellaneous
7.7
Total
100.0
Political Goals. What about the political goals of Tea Party organizations? Here there is a strong
electoral focus (Table 5): three-fifths of the Ohio Tea Party activists say electing good candidates (60.2%)
and one-quarter say protesting the inaction of the major parties (23.9%). Less than one-tenth chose
sharing their political beliefs, developing an alternative to the major parties, or offered another goal
(often associated with a particular issue).
5
Table 5: Political Goals of Tea Party Organizations
To elect good candidates to office
To protest the inaction of Republicans and Democrats
To share political beliefs with like-minded individuals
To develop an alternative point of view to the Republicans and Democrats
Other Goals
Total
60.2
23.9
6.5
1.5
7.9
100.0
The electoral goals of the Ohio Tea Party activists are broad based, with four-fifths or more
saying it is important to be involved in presidential, congressional, state and local campaigns. Similar
numbers identified building a strong organization and raising issues as important goals. The least
favored activity was lobbying the government, but almost two-thirds of the activists support this
activity.
Personal Motives. These goals are reflected in the Ohio Tea Party activists’ personal motivations
for political activity in general (Table 6). The top four motives are connected to principles and issues:
pursuing important issues (91.2% “very important”); supporting candidates “I believe in” (88.2%); civic
duty (80.6%); and reforming the political “system” (79.6%).
Table 6: Personal Motives
% "Very Important"
Pursuing important issues
Candidates I believe in
A sense of civic duty
Reforming the system
91.2
88.2
80.6
79.6
Winning elections
54.7
Support for my party
Business/employment reasons
Friendship/social contacts
Fun and excitement
My political career
Social recognition
28.6
24.3
16.4
11.3
3.7
1.8
6
One-half of the Ohio Tea Party activists say that “winning elections” is “very important” to their
political activity. The least important motives are material and social motives traditionally important to
major party activists, such as business/employment (24.3), friendship/social contacts (16.4%), and
political career (3.7%).
Political Values. What do the Tea Party activists value in the political process (Table 8)? A large
majority of these activists agree that candidates “lose touch with voters once elected” (85.1% agree)
and that the most important goal of a political party is to “take the right stands on the issues” (84.9%). A
large majority is critical of the major political parties because they are “run for the benefit of special
interests” (84.2%), but nearly as many say that good political parties are “essential to American
democracy” (77.6%). A smaller majority support the idea of a “multi-party” system in the United States
(56.1%).
Table 8: Political Values
% "Strongly Agree" and "Agree"
Once candidates get elected they lose touch with the voters
85.1
The most important goal of a party is to take the right stands on issues
84.9
The major parties are run for the benefit of special interests
84.2
Good political parties are crucial to American democracy
77.6
I'd rather lose an election than compromise on the issues
71.1
America needs a multi-party system
56.1
The most important goal of a party is to win elections
49.3
The key to political success is compromise and coalition building
22.7
In addition, a majority of these activists say they would rather “lose an election than
compromise on the issues” (71.1%); one-half agree that the principal goal of political parties is to “win
elections” (49.3%); and only one-fifth agree that the key to political success is “compromise and
coalition building” (22.7%).
7
Table 9 supports these patterns among the Ohio Tea Party activists: when asked when they
“strongly support” their political party, seven-in-ten say “only when it offers candidates I believe in,” and
another one-quarter say they do so only when their party “pursues issues important to me.”
Table 9: Political Party Support
% “Agree”
I tend to strongly support my political party:
Under all circumstances
Only when it offers candidates I believe in
Only when it pursues issues important to me
Only when the opposition is inferior
Only when it has a real chance of winning
12.5
70.4
24.7
1.9
0.0
Political Views: Identifications, Priorities, and Positions
What are the political identifications of Ohio Tea Party activists? Overall, a majority identify as
Republicans (Table 10, first column). More than one-third are “strong Republicans” (35.4%), one-fifth
“Republican” (21.1%), and one-quarter “lean Republican” (24.1%)—for a total of four-fifths of the
activists. One-eighth say they are independents (12.2%) and less than one-tenth identify as Democrats
(7.2%). (One-tenth of these activists also identified with a minor party, such as the Libertarian Party.)
Table 10: Political Identifications
Partisanship
Strong Republican
Republican
Lean Republican
Independent
Lean Democrat
Democrat
Strong Democrat
Total
35.4
21.1
24.1
12.2
.9
4.8
1.5
100.0
Ideology
Extremely Conservative
Conservative
Somewhat Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Somewhat Liberal
Extremely Liberal
Total
8
23.3
42.2
14.7
16.2
1.8
1.5
0.3
100.0
A majority of Ohio Tea Party activists also identify as conservatives (Table 10, second column):
one-quarter as “extremely conservative” (23.3%), two-fifths as “conservative” (42.2%), and one-seventh
“slightly conservative” (14.7%)—for a total of four-fifths of the activists. About one-sixth are
“moderates” and less than one-twentieth identify as “liberal.” (Less than one-tenth of these activists
also identified with another political perspective, such as libertarianism.)
Issue Priorities. What are the issue priorities of Ohio Tea Party activists (Table 11, coding of
verbatim responses). Overall, more than one-half of the respondents mentioned an economic problem.
Here the national debt and the size of government are the most common topics mentioned. One-sixth
of the Ohio Tea Party activists listed a problem with the political process (15.5%), almost as many listed
a cultural issue (13.6%), and less than one-tenth mentioned a foreign policy problem (7.9%).
Table 11: Issue Priorities
% "Most Important Problem"
Economic Issues
Political Process Issues
Cultural Issues
Foreign Policy Issues
Other, Miscellaneous
Total
58.5
15.5
13.6
7.9
4.5
100.0
Issue Positions. What positions do Ohio Tea Party activists hold on major issues? Large majorities
of activists hold conservative views on most—but not all—economic issues (Table 12). First, there is
nearly unanimous agreement that the size of the federal government should be reduced. About nine-often oppose the new federal health care law and agree that federal programs should be returned to the
states. Seven-in-ten agree with a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and disagree
that government regulation is necessary to protect consumers and workers. However, nearly threefifths disagree that trade laws, such as NAFTA and GATT, were good for the United States.
9
Table 12: Issue Positions
Economic Issues
The size of the Federal government must be
reduced
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the
right direction for the country
Federal programs should be returned to the states
Agree
95.1
Neutral Disagree
0.9
4.0
Total
100.0
5.4
2.6
92.0
100.0
87.6
6.9
5.5
100.0
71.1
16.7
12.2
100.0
10.3
19.1
70.6
100.0
12.0
29.6
58.4
100.0
3.5
10.4
86.1
100.0
8.3
14.3
77.4
100.0
The U.S. should pull out of the United Nations
75.7
14.8
9.5
100.0
We should sharply restrict immigration into the U.S.
70.3
11.7
18.0
100.0
A woman's right to choose an abortion should be
maintained
Defense spending should be reduced
14.7
16.4
68.9
100.0
32.1
22.7
45.2
100.0
We should amend the constitution to require a
balanced budget
Government regulation is necessary to protect
consumers and workers
NAFTA and GATT were good for America
Cultural and Foreign Policy Issues
Minorities need special help to achieve their
rightful place
Homosexuals should be legally allowed to marry
The Ohio Tea Party activists also tend to hold conservative views on many—but not all—cultural
and foreign policy issues. For example, more than four-fifths disagree with affirmative action, and
almost four-fifths disagree with legalizing same-sex marriage. Three-quarters agree that the United
States should pull out of the United Nations. Seven-in-ten agree with restricting immigration and are
pro-life on abortion. However, these activists are more divided on defense spending, with less than half
disagreeing with spending reductions.
Political Leaders and Groups
To whom do the Ohio Tea Party activists feel close to politically? Overall, these activists tend to
feel close to many—but not all—conservative leaders and groups, and far from liberal leaders and
groups.
10
By this measure, the Ohio Tea Party activists feel closest to talk radio host Glenn Beck (79.8%
close), followed by Ohio Governor John Kasich (78.9%), and 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee
Sarah Palin (75.1%). Other popular groups include Freedom Works, an organization associated with the
Tea Party movement (63.3%), and libertarian and presidential candidate Ron Paul (59.5%)—but also the
Christian Coalition (59.5%) and Speaker of the House and Ohio Republican John Boehner (58.2%).
However, the Ohio Tea Party activists do not feel as close to former President George W. Bush
(50.4% close), the Chamber of Commerce (40.8% close), and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John
McCain (14.6% close and 51.7% far).
Table 13: Proximity to Political Leaders and Groups
Glenn Beck
John Kasich
Sarah Palin
Close
79.8
78.9
75.1
Neutral
10.5
11.7
16.0
Far
9.7
9.4
8.9
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
Freedom Works
Christian Coalition
Ron Paul
John Boehner
63.3
59.5
59.5
58.2
23.4
29.1
23.2
28.5
13.3
11.4
17.3
13.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
George W. Bush
Chamber of Commerce
John McCain
50.4
40.8
14.6
30.7
45.9
33.7
18.9
13.3
51.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
Sierra Club
Ralph Nader
National Organization for Women (NOW)
4.2
5.0
3.0
20.5
14.0
11.5
75.3
81.0
85.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
Ted Strickland
Sherrod Brown
Bill Clinton
4.0
4.7
4.5
8.6
7.4
7.4
87.4
87.9
88.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
Hillary Clinton
AFL-CIO
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Barack Obama
3.4
4.1
4.3
3.2
6.3
5.2
3.2
0.2
90.3
90.7
92.5
96.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
11
In contrast, the Ohio Tea Party activists feel far from liberal groups and leaders, ranging from
the Sierra Club (75.3% far) to former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (87.4%), and Ohio U.S. Senator
Democrat Sherrod Brown (87.9%). President Barack Obama (96.6%) is the least popular figure in this
question.
2012 Presidential Candidates. Who do the Ohio Tea Party activists favor for the 2012 Republican
presidential nomination? Overall, there is no clear consensus among these activists “first choice” of
candidates, with no candidate drawing more than about one-tenth of the responses and eight
candidates drawing five percent support (Table 14, coded verbatim responses).
Given the volatility of the presidential race, one must view these particular results with great
caution. For example, Texas Governor Rick Perry was mentioned rarely partly because he entered the
presidential race recently. But this pattern does suggest that the Ohio Tea Party activists have no firm,
prior commitment to a potential GOP standard bearer in 2012.
Table 14: First Choice for 2012 GOP Presidential Nomination
Candidate
Ron Paul
Sarah Palin
Michelle Bachmann
Chris Christie
Herman Cain
Mitt Romney
Newt Gingrich
Mike Huckabee
All Others
Total
11.2
9.7
9.4
8.8
8.2
7.0
5.2
5.2
35.3
100.0
12
Political Activity and Information
Besides involvement in local Tea Party groups, how active are these individuals in the political
process? Three-quarters say they were active in the 2008 campaign (74.2%) and more than four-fifths
say they were active in the 2010 campaign (83.9%). When asked about 2012, one-half say they expect to
be “very active” in the campaign (50.7%) and another two-fifths expect to be active (36.8%).
Specific Activities. The Ohio Tea Party activists report extensive participation in a wide variety of
political activities in 2010 (Table 15). For example, more than three-quarters signed a petition (83.4%)
and contacted a public official (78.9%); more than three-fifths made a campaign contribution (65.7%)
and attended a campaign rally (62%); approximately one-half attended a party meeting (53.7%) and
demonstrated or protested (46.5%).
Table 15: Specific Political Activities
% in 2010
Signed petition
Contacted public official
Made campaign contribution
Attended campaign rally
Attended party meeting
83.4
78.9
65.7
62.0
53.7
Demonstrated/protested
Wrote letter to editor
Recruited campaign volunteers
Canvassed door-to-door
46.5
34.3
34.1
30.2
Organized a political event
Raised campaign funds
Served as a party official
Ran for public office
24.4
20.8
13.3
11.4
In addition, roughly one-third wrote a letter to the editor (34.3%), recruited campaign
volunteers (34.1%), and canvassed door-to-door (30.2%). One-quarter said they organized a political
event (24.4%) and one-fifth raised campaign funds (20.8%). And finally, about one-eighth served as a
13
party official (13.3%) and ran for public office (11.4%). Other evidence reveals that many of these
activists have long been involved in politics.
Online Activity. The Ohio Tea Party activists also report participation in a wide variety of online
political activities in 2010 (Table 16). Two-thirds or more signed an online petition (72.6%), emailed
political information to friends (71.2%), read a political blog (69.5%), viewed a political video (67.3%), or
signed up for political emails (66.2%). Between one-half and two-fifths of these activists say they made a
donation online (49.3%), participated in a “meet up” (46.3%), emailed a campaign (45.7%), downloaded
voter guides (45.7%) and “friended” a candidate (43.5%). Almost one-third listened to a political podcast
(30.5%). And between one-quarter and one-tenth contributed to internet content by talking politics on a
social media (26.6%), wrote about politics on a blog (24.4%), engaged in a live web chat (19.9%), raised
money online (11.4%) and sent political “tweets” (11.4%).
Table 16: Online Political Activity
% in 2010
Signed online petition
Emailed political information to friends
Read political blog
Viewed political video
Signed up for political emails
72.6
71.2
69.5
67.3
66.2
Made online political donation
Participated in a political "meet-up"
Emailed a campaign
Downloaded voter guides
"Friended" a candidate
49.3
46.3
45.7
45.7
43.5
Listened to political podcast
Talked politics on social media
Wrote about politics on a blog
Live web chat on politics
Raised money online
Sent political "tweets"
30.5
26.6
24.4
19.9
11.4
11.4
14
Political Information. Where do the Ohio Tea Party activists obtain political information? More
than four-fifths say the Internet (84.8%) and more than three-quarters say talk radio (78.7%) are
important sources of political information for them. TV news ranks next, with nearly three-fifths (59.3%),
followed by newspapers (40.2%), radio news (39.9%), and family/friends (39.6%), all at about two-fifths.
Approximately one-fifth report newsletters (22.4%), social media (21.6%), opinion magazines (20.2%),
and religious broadcasting (17.7%) as important. Direct mail, co-workers, and faxes were the least
important.
Table 17: Sources of Political Information
% Important
Internet
84.8
Talk radio
TV news
78.7
59.3
Newspapers
Radio news
Family/friends
40.2
39.9
39.6
Newsletters
Social media
Opinion magazines
Religious broadcasting
22.4
21.6
20.2
17.7
Direct mail
Co-workers
Faxes
12.5
10.8
1.7
Demography and Community Groups. The Ohio Tea Party activists have the demographic
characteristics generally associated with conservatives and Republicans. Overall, they tend to be male
(58.1%), white (96.7%), and over 50 years of age (70.1%). A majority has a college degree or postgraduate training (60.6%) and almost one-half have an annual family income of over $75,000 (48.6%).
But less than one-twentieth have an annual family income of over $250,000.
15
A majority of the Ohio Tea Party activists say they attend worship services once a week or more
often (55.4%). Two-thirds are Protestants and one-quarter Roman Catholics; one-quarter claim to be
“born again” Christians and two-fifths identify as “traditional” in religious terms. Nearly one-half of the
activists live in suburban communities within the state’s metropolitan areas, and about the same
percentage live in non-metropolitan urban places or in rural areas.
Table 17: Age, Education, Income, and Worship Attendance
Age
18-35
36-50
51-65
over 65
Total
8.3
21.6
48.0
22.1
100.0
Education
High school graduate or less
Some college
College graduate
Post-graduate training
Total
7.3
32.1
32.1
28.5
100.0
Income
Less than 25,000
25,001 to 50,000
50,001 to 75,000
75,001 to 100,000
100,001 to 175,000
175,001 to 250,000
More than 250,000
Total
5.4
18.8
27.2
20.8
17.3
5.8
4.7
100.0
Worship attendance
More than once a week
Once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom
Never
Total
17.8
37.6
10.7
10.1
18.0
5.8
100.0
16
Ohio Tea Party activists report belonging to a variety of community groups besides local Tea
Party organizations. For example, two-thirds belong to a church or religious group (65.7%), three-fifths
to a conservative political group (60.7%), and more than one-half to a gun owners group (54.3%). Onethird belongs to a professional group (34.1%) and about one-quarter to a community (27.1%) or a civic
association (24.4%). One-fifth belongs to a business (22.4%) or a taxpayers group (19.7%). Only a small
portion of these activists are members of fraternal, women’s, environmental, or liberal political groups.
Table 18: Community Group Memberships
% Belong
Church/religious group
Conservative political group
Gun owner
65.7
60.7
54.3
Professional association
Community group
Civic association
Business association
Taxpayers group
Fraternal
Women's group
Environmental group
Liberal political group
34.1
27.1
24.4
22.4
19.7
12.2
9.7
3.9
1.4
17